Surprise! Supervisor Ross Mirkarimi reacts
to his clandestinely arranged birthday celebration yesterday at City Hall.
Photos by Luke Thomas
By Luke Thomas
August 5, 2009
It took a coordinated ruse yesterday to lure Ross Mirkarimi away from his busy schedule as a San Francisco District Supervisor to celebrate his 48th Birthday – a birthdate he shares with President Barack Obama.
The flawlessly executed plan was organized by Mirkarimi’s fiance-to-be, Eliana Lopez, who enlisted strategic and logistical support from Board President David Chiu. The clandestine plan involved Chiu telling Mirkarimi his presence was required for an important meeting at City Hall, where his well-wishers lay patiently in wait.
The surprise birthday celebration attracted fellow Supervisors David Campos, John Avalos, David Chiu, Sophie Maxwell, Carmen Chu, and several City Hall staffers, aides, volunteers and friends.
“It’s wonderful to see everybody here. Thank you very much,” an ever-gracious Mirkarimi said.
And before he blew out the three candles on Lopez’ homemade chocolate cake, he turned to her and their newborn son, Theo, and said: “This is my present.”
Happy Birthday, Ross!
Luke Thomas
Luke Thomas is a former software developer and computer consultant who proudly hails from London, England. In 2001, Thomas took a yearlong sabbatical to travel and develop a photographic portfolio. Upon his return to the US, Thomas studied photojournalism to pursue a career in journalism. In 2004, Thomas worked for several neighborhood newspapers in San Francisco before accepting a partnership agreement with the SanFranciscoSentinel.com, a news website formerly covering local, state and national politics. In September 2006, Thomas launched FogCityJournal.com. The BBC, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, New York Times, Der Spiegel, San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Magazine, 7x7, San Francisco Examiner, San Francisco Bay Guardian and the San Francisco Weekly, among other publications and news outlets, have published his work. Thomas is a member of the Freelance Unit of the Pacific Media Workers Guild, TNG-CWA Local 39521 and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists.
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August 6, 2009 at 3:30 pm
The bike plan issue isn’t over, keenplan. The city still has to get Judge Busch to certify their very deficient EIR. If the city had followed the law way back in 2005 and done an EIR on the Plan, it would have saved taxpayers a lot of money. A little leadership by the Murk would have been helpful, too, but, as usual, he was running with the prog lemmings. Very brave of you to insult Ms. Miles, who, by the way, singlehandedly whipped the dim bulb Assistant City Attorneys on the bike plan litigation.
Luke Thomas’s excellent pictures show everyone how repulsive you folks really are.
August 5, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Right on Ross, you rock! Happy Birthday to one of SF’s true leaders. San Francisco’s next mayor…………sounds good. Let’s make it happen.
August 5, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Poor Rob is still stinging from his 11-0 loss last night at the supervisors. They rejected his latest challenge to the San Francisco Bike Plan. Mary Miles was particularly entertaining, in her own nasty sort of way, threatening to jail the planners who, obviously, have had quite enough of her and Rob Anderson. She made the guy who sung his statement look sane. Thanks for wasting $2 million dollars of planning funds, by the way, Rob. You’ll be remembered for that!
Hopefully this will be the end of the rants from the 2 member “Citizens for…whatever”
August 5, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Oh, thanks for shaving the year off, but I believe it is the 48th…
Sorry Ross!
August 5, 2009 at 5:26 pm
Hey Luke,
Thank you for the wonderful photos! Ross was truly shocked. Eliana is incredible.
Oh, yes, there is much to celebrate…
Peace in the neighborhood, a new employment center, funds restored to the PD, a compassionate, genius in the White House…
I guess Rob won’t be precinct walking for the next mayor of San Francisco?
August 5, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Awwww, Rob …
Did someone not get invited to another party?
And, where were you yesterday for your own party? I had lots of people tuned in to see what someone like you looks like.
h.
August 5, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Oh, yes, a charming scene. Ross and his prog allies can celebrate how he has taken the lead in trashing San Francisco with the Market Octavia Plan—40-story highrises at Market and Van Ness!—and rolling over for UC’s massive housing development on the old extension property. But he’ll always have folks like Harold Brown to deliver a big smooch to his posterior.
August 5, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Hey Ross,
“Some guys have all the luck and some guys do nothing but complain.” I’m the latter. You’re the former.
Congrats guy,
h.